Meet The Author:
Gregory T Glading
I was born at the University of Pennsylvania hospital in 1958, across the street from Franklin Field, a stadium as iconic as Shibe Park. Elvis was number one on the charts; Marilyn was queen of the silver screen; and Mantle was slugging home runs. My first ten years were tumultuous as my family moved ten times. After a bitter divorce divided the family, we settled in a quaint neighborhood called Banjo Town, outside of Wayne, Pennsylvania.
The Banjo Town neighborhood of my epoch also boasted artists Zaporah Hildebrandt, Wendilee Heath O'Brian, and novelist Russell Heath. I attended Radnor Township public schools up to June 1975 until abruptly sent to West Nottingham Academy in Colora, Maryland for my senior year. I graduated with the WNA class of 1976. My fondest youthful memories are my summers at Camp Greenbrier in Alderson, West Virginia.
I joined the United States Army after high school. I served with the 10th Special Forces Group and the Eighth US Army in Korea. After my enlightenment I attended and graduated from Temple University. I also re-enlisted in the United States Army Reserves. I lived in various Philadelphia neighborhoods until settling in South Philly. My South Philly experience inspired my novels, '64 Intruder and Chords of Time.
I later visited South Africa. My visit unexpectedly lasted ten years. I worked as a professional wrestler under the avatar Gorgeous Greg Bragg. My nickname among the other wrestlers was "The Riot Starter." In 2014, I was inducted into the South African Professional Wrestling Hall-of-Fame. I also have the unique distinction of being the only former professional wrestler, and among few professional athletes, to have written multiple, standalone, solo written adult fiction novels.
I returned to the United States in November 1994, electing to settle in Florida rather than Philadelphia. I first worked as a sergeant in the Florida Department of Corrections. Keeping secrets from inmates takes effort. Word leaked about my background as a professional wrestler, and the inmates nicknamed me "Smack Down." In addition, I enlisted in the US Army Reserves, thinking it was only a part-time gig. Then, 911 hit. My unit got deployed to Iraq; I was attached to the 1st Battalion 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division at Camp War Eagle, known as The Dirty Bird. I earned multiple medals and am most proud of earning the "Order of the Spur." The award states: "With Saber and Carbine in hand and having displayed those traits associated with all accomplished Cavalry Soldiers: Skill, Cunning, Dash, and Fervor, is hereby entered into the walls of the Charger Order of the Spur and is awarded a pair of Combat Cavalry Spurs."
After my deployment, I moved from Southern Florida to Central Florida. I worked in Disney Transportation and doubled as a Teamster shop steward. As of now, I have lived in four different continents and visited over forty countries. I now live with my wife, Gina, who was an amateur basketball player and soccer player at the highest level, and our sons, Dante and Pierce. Pierce was the 2021 Florida High School Baseball Player of the Year and is currently playing college baseball on a full scholarship. He has also stared in Major League Baseball affiliated elite amateur leagues. Meanwhile, Dante was an all-county offensive tackle and is playing college football on a full ride.
Call me to find out more about my work!